Clutch-control mechanism



July 15 1924, 15mg/'4Q C. L. BEST CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANI SM Filed Dec.50 1.920 4 Sheets-Sheet l :nlllllll ilmlllmm 8 m 8/ www 5mm M@ #M Iatm/Will my l5 3924.

C. L. BEST CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM 199.@ 4 SheeSr-Sheet 2 C) Nlvwemtoz:

Filed Dec.

July 15 A1924 I c. L. BEST CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM 'Filed Dec.

30. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 15 1924.

c. L. BEST CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 30. 1920 4 Sheets-.Sheet4 Patented July 15, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,501,740 PATENT oFFlcE.

CLARENCE LEO BEST, OF SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA, .ASSIGNOR TO C.

LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALI- TRACTION COMPANY, OF SANFORNIA.' i

CLUTCH-CONTROL MECHANISM.

L. BEST GAS Application filed December 30, 1920. Serial No. 434,053.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE Lno Bnsr, a citizen of th'e United States,residing at San Leandro, in the county ofAlameda and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain 'new and useful Improvements inClutch- Control Mechanism, of which the following is'a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in clutch control mechanism, andmore especially to improved clutch releasing mechanism particularlyadapted for traction engines.

. The object of the invention is to provide improved clutch-releasingmechanism' adapted to apply even pressure on either side 0f the thrustcollar, or clutch-actuating disk member, whereby a more perfect controlis afforded, and the clutch is operated to better advantage so that itsperiod of service is materially increased.

An important novel characteristic of the.

invention resides in the special construction and arrangement ofl partsresulting in a simple compact structure that can be easily operated, andthat will be strong and durable in use.

The invention, with other objects and advantages thereof, and theparticular construction, combinations and arran' ement of partscomprising the same, will understood from the following detailed descrition when considered in connection with t e accompanying drawings,forming part hereof and illustrating one embodiment lof the invention..

In the drawings :f

Figure 1 1s a plan view of an endless track type of tractor equippedwith clutch' releasing mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, with partsshown .in side elevation, of part of the transmission andclutch-releasing mechanismillustrated in Fig. 1. 'f

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of part of the clutchoperating mechanism, with parts shown in section.

Fig. 4f is a detailed end elevation.

Fig. 5 is a detailed side elevation.

In the drawings, the invention is shown applied to the type of tractionengine having endless tracks extending along oppositesides of themachine, and which is '1. The head adapted to be steered by varyin thespeed of the endless tracks through t e medium of friction clutches. Thepower transmission for the endless track devices shown in the drawingsincludes a transverse drive shaft 1 and driven shaft elements 2, 2suitably mounted for rotation in a casing 3, the driveshaft 1 having abeveled pinion 4 through which lit receives motion from the motor shaft,(not shown) and the driven shaft elements 2 extending from opposite endsof the drive shaft 1 and having pinions 5 at their outer ends meshingwith gears 6. on sprockets 7 that engage the endless tracks 8. Anyapproved form of friction clutch ma vbe employed for connecting thedriven s aft elements 2 with the -drive shaft 1, the construction shownbeing one of the well known types, each .clutch comprising a head 9seured on one end portion' of the drive shaft part 9 at one end isprovided with an abutment iiange 10, and mounted on the head to rotatetherewith and for movew disks 12 connected with a part 13, which issecured to one of the driven shaft elements 2,the series of disks 12being connected with the part 13 for adjustment longitudinally thereofand for rotation with said part. The series of disks 11,12 are adaptedto be forced into frictional `engagement to connect the driven shaftelements 2 with the drive shaft 1 by a pressure member 14 having a. hub15 slidably mounted upon the driving shaft. 16 designates springs actingto normally maintain the series of disks in operative engagementaidsprings being arranged on pins 17 extending inwardly from the hub 15with their opposite ends engaging apart 9 of the head 9 and collars 18on the inner ends of the pins 17. Separate clutch releasing means isprovided for each of the clutches whereby the clutches can beindependently controlled to. vary the speed oithe endless track devices.

The particular embodiment of my. improved clutch-releasing mechanism,illustrated in the drawings, by way of example, includes a pair oflevers 19 mounted inter-l mediate their ends in bearings 2O carried bybrackets 21 on the casing 3, said levers 19 being oppositely disposed atdifferent `sides yet vshoulder part M on of the drive shaft 1 with theirlower portions extending adjacent to and 'provided with lateralextensions 22 to engage a thrust collar or actuating disk member 23 onthe hub 15, the levers 19 being adapted to be swung together in avertical plane to shift the thrust collar or actuating disk member 23and 4the hub 15 to the position indicated in Fig. v2 of the drawings,the presser membei' 14 occupyinof a position out of engagement with thet'friction disks 11, 12. The thrust collar or actuating disk member 23is shown seated on the hub 15 between a the hub and an antifrictionbearing 25, a cap nut 26 on the end of the hub 15 serving to maintainthe parts vin position on the hub with the thrust collar or actuatingdisk member 23 free for rotation relative to the hub but fixed theretoas regards axial movement. The pair of levers 19 at their .upper endsare connected` together by a horizontally extending equalizer bar 27,the ends of the levers being pivot-- ally connected to opposite ends ofthe equalizer bar, the latter being adapted to be moved bodily in ahorizontal path. Intermediate its ends the equalizer bar is providedwith a lateral extension 28 having a head 29 at the outer end thereofprovided with a flat bearing face 30, the lateral extension 28 beingshown, in this instance, as a separate part adjustably. connected to theequalizer bar, said extension 28 being provided with a threaded shank28.', engaging a threaded socket of the equalizer bar 27, and providedwith a clamp nut 31. 32 designates a vertical shaft supported forrotation in a tubular column 33 extending upwardly from the casing 3 andhaving on its lower end a cam adapted to cooperate with the head 29 onthe equalizer bar 27. The cam consists of a head part 34% provided withan anti-friction roll 35 disposed at one side thereof eccentrically tothe axis of rotation of the vertical shaft 32 and adapted to Workagainst the fiat bearing face 3() of the head 29. The head 34e isconveniently formed as a separate part, as shown, and iiedly secured tothe shaft 32 by a key 36 and transverse pin 37. 38 designates a spacingcollar between the cam head34 and the lower face of the tubular column33. Coiled springs 39, connected at opposite ends, respectively, Withthe casing 3 and opposite ends of the equalizer bar 27, serve toyieldably mainl tain the equalizer bar in a position with the head 29 ofits lateral extension 28 in contact with the cam. The uppe'.` end of thevertical shaft 32 projects above the tubular column 33, and suitablysecured thereto to rotate on the column is a hub 401 having an inclinedextension 41 provided with a socket in which is seated an operatinghandle 43. The tubular columns 33 of the clutch-releasing mechanisms arepreferably arranged a anomalo head 29, will move the equalizer bar 27horizontally', the levers 19. being swung together to force the thrustcollar or actuating disk member 23 to inoperative position, as indicatedin Fig 2 of the drawings, the arrangement of parts being such that evenpressure is applied upon either side of the thrust collar.

lt will be noted that the special construction and arrangementof partshereinbefore described provides for applying even pressure upon eachside of the thrust collar or actuating disk member, the presser memberfor the friction disks being operated to bet-- ter advantage so that amore perfect con trol and regulation of the frictional engageine-nt ofthe disks to vary the speed of the endless track devices is obtained.The mechanism`is of a simple compact nature that. can be easily operatedand will be durablev and eliicient in use.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a clutch havin an axiallymovable actuating collar, and yieldable means acting to normallymaintain the actuating collar in operative position, of releasing meansincluding a pair of levers pivoted intermediate their ends,

of at one side of their fulcrums arranged to engage the actuating collarat opposite sides of.-its central part, and adapted, when .Operated, toshift the actuating collar to inoperative position, an equalizer barpivotally connected at opposite endV portions with the end portions ofthe levers at the other side of their fulcrunis, a rotary shaft disposedat right angles to the equalizer bar, and means on the shaft engaging apart on the equalizer 4bar intermediate the ends thereof to bodily shiftthe equalizer bar laterallyof the shaft upon turning the same.

2. The combination with a clutch having an axially movable actuatingcollar, and

vieldable means acting to normally maintain the actuating collar iiioperative position, o releasing means including a pair of leverspivotedA intermediate their ends, the levers being positioned with theend portions t the levers being positioned with the end portions there#llG thereof at one side of their fulcruins ar ranged to engage theactuating collar at opposite sides of its central part, and adapted whenoperated to shift the actuating collar to inoperative position, anequalizer bar pivotally connected at op osite end portions with the endportions o the levers at the other side of theirfulcrums, said equalizerbar having a lateral extension provided with a bearing thereon, a rotaryshaft disposed at right angles to the equalizer bar, and a cam on saidshaft'in the plane of the equalizer bar and adapted to .cooperate withsaid bearing to bodily shift the equalizer bar laterally of the shaftwhen said shaft is turned.

3. The combination with a clutch having an axially movable actuatingcollar, and yieldable means acting to normally maintain the actuatingcollar in operative position, of releasing means including a pair oflevers pivoted intermediate their ends, the levers being positioned withthe end portions therei of at one side of their fulcrums arranged toengage the actuating collar at opposite sides of its central part, andadapted, when operated, to shift the actuating collar to inoperativeposition, an equalizer bar pivotallv connected at opposite end portionswith the end portions of the levers at the other side of their fulcrums,said equalizer bar having a bearing surface thereon intermediate itsends, a rotary shaft disposed at right angles to the equalizer bar, anda'cam roller on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said-bearingsurface to bodil shift the equalizer bar laterally'of the sha when saidshaft is turned.

4. `The combination with a clutch having` an axially Amovable actuatinglcollar, and yieldable means acting to normally maintain the actuatingcollar in o erative position, of releasing means inclu ing a support, apair of levers pivoted Aintermediate their ends, the levers beingpositioned with the end portions thereof at one side of their fulcrumsarranged to engage the actuating collar at op oslte sides of its centralpart, and adaptefl when operated, to shift the actuating collar toinoperative position, a bar pivotall connected at opposite end portionswith t e end portions of the levers at the other side of their fulcrums,said bar having a bearing surface thereon centrally of its ends, a rotarshaft disposed at right angles to ythe equa izer bar, having aneccentric portion to engage said bearing surface to shift the equalizerbar bodily upon rotation of the shaft, and a pair of coiled springs tomaintain the bearing surface of the equalizer bar in engagement withsaid eccentric portion of the shaft, each of lsaid springs beingconnected with one end of the equalizer bar and a part on the support.

5. The combination with 'a clutch having an axially movable actuatingcollar, and yieldable means actin -to normally maintain the actuatingcoli ar in operative position, of releasing means including a pair oflevers pivoted intermediate their ends, the levers being positioned withthe end portions thereof at one side of their fulcrums arranged toengage the actuating collar. at

positioned with their lower said shaft, and a spring acting in the planeof movement of the equalizer bar to maintain the part on the equalizerbar in engagement with the cam.

6. The combination with a an axially movable actuating collar member,

clutch having f and yieldable means acting to normally maintain theactuating collar in operative position, of releasing means including apair of levers pivoted intermediate their ends to swing in vverticalplanes, the levers being end portions engaging the actuating collar atopposite sides of its central part and adapted to shift the actuatingcollar to inoperative position, a horizontally extending equalizer barpivotally connected at opposite ends with the upper end portions of thelevers, a vertically disposed rotary shaft, and means between the shaftand equalizer baracting to bodily shift the equalizer barl laterallyupon rotation of the shaft.

7. The combination with a clutch having an axially movable actuatingcollar member, and yieldable means acting to normally maintain theactuating collar in operative position, of releasing means including apair of levers pivoted intermediatev their ends to swing in verticalplanes, the levers being positioned with their lower end portionsengagingthe actuating collar at opposite sides 'of its central part and'adapted to shift the actuating collar to inoperative position, ahorizontally dxtending equalizer bar pivotally connected 4at oppositeends with the up.- per end portions of the levers, a vertically disposedrotary shaft, a handle at the upper part of the shaft, a cam part. onthe lower portion of the shaft adapted to cooperate with a part on theequalizer bar intermediate its ends to bodily shift the equalizer barlaterally upon rotation of said shaft.

8. The combination with a clutch having an axially movable actuating'collar member, and yieldable means acting to normally maintain theactuating collar in operative position, of releasing means including apair of levers pivoted intermediate theirends to swing in verticalplanes, the levers being positioned with their lower end portions toengage the actuating collar at opposite sides of its central part, andadapted to shift the actuating collar to inoperative position, ahorizontal equalizer bar pivotally connecte at opposite ends with theupper end portions of the levers, said equalizer har having a lateralextension with a bearing portion at the outer end thereof, a verticallydisposed rotary shaft, a. handle at. the upper part or" the shaft, and aearn on the lower portion of the shaft adapted to cooperate with saidhearing portion to bodily shift the equalizer har laterally uponrotation of the shaft.

9. The combination With-a oliiteh. having un axially movable actuatingcollar, and yieldable means acting to normally main-- tain the actuatingcollar in operative-position, of releasing means including a pair oflevers pivoted intermediate their ends at points at opposite sides ofthe central por tion or the actuatingV Colla-r5 the levers he ingpositioned with the end portions thereof at one side of their ulorumsarranged to '3U engage the actuating collar at opposite sides of itscentral part, and adapted when operated to shift the actuating collar toinoperative position, an equalizer bar of a length substantially equalthe diameter of the actuating collar extending parallel therewith andvpivotally connected at its end portions with the end portions of thelevers at the other side of their ulorums, a rotary shaft disposed atright angles to the equalizer har, and means o-n said shalt engaging apart on the equalizer bar centrally' of the ends thereof Ato bodilyshift the equalizer har laterally of the shaft upon turning said shaft.

In testimony whereof. I hereunto aliX my signature in the presence 'oftWo Witnesses.

Witnesses z' J. E. Jonas, R. C. Folien.

